Stephen Hawking, theoretical physicist, cosmologist, author, educator and social leader leads a life of intellectual adventure that has marked his place in history. Although his theories and scientific contributions are well documented, there is much to learn and emulate from the personal context of his life. These personal qualities and adventures are an integral part of his contribution as a leader among his peers. In his brash way, he challenged his friends and adversaries to go beyond their scientific positions and his own as well. His leadership qualities were demonstrated early in his college life where he was a cajoler for his sculling team, during his life as a demanding coach by challenging his peers to challenge his opinions, and currently in as an advocate for opportunities for people with disabilities and for exploration and development beyond planet Earth. So absorbed in understanding the universe that he sees its great value in scientists past and present, understanding the magnitude of the intellectual task and the need for humanity's best minds to engage together. He is quick to accept arguments when the evidence is clear and to challenge unsubstantiated claims. While advising the greatest minds of our time, he has contributed to the upliftment of the general population by painstakingly explaining the theories of general relativity, the singularity, and the space-time continuum in a way that engages and stimulates the thoughts of anyone who cares to take an interest in the origins and destiny of the human species and the space in which we live. Like the first Christian Church Doctor and academician, Augustine, in a way he seeks to understand the concept of creation and the enigma behind the concept of.. .... middle of article... ...a prerequisite for scientific success. He remained at Caius where he researched and taught and in 1969 obtained a “scholarship of scientific distinction”. In 1970, Hawking discovered that the event horizon of a black hole can never be smaller; the second law of black hole dynamics. He proposed the four laws of black hole mechanics and made an analogy with thermodynamics. It was an example of his ability to explain complex theories to the general public. He received the Gravity Research Foundation Award in 1971 for his essay "Black Holes." During this period, his daughter Lucy was born, demonstrating what Hawking said about himself, that he was a normal person with drives and desires. An accomplished professional in many fields, he wrote his first book with George Ellis, The Large Scale Structure of Space and Time, published in 1973.